Dominion The Generational Seeds of Reslian | Dominion of Lorta | CIS

[Millu Lee]

THE UNSEEN WAR

Location: Lorta
Attire: [X]
Tag: Kyle Torchwood

Millu was getting very much tired of being grounded. By now, she felt like the amount of time this had been going on for was a bit unreasonable on Beric's part, and she wanted to find a way to prove to her master once and for all that even though she had had little training, she could still handle herself. Right then, the girl received a holotransmission from a squire she had met and studied with once or twice back in the KO headquarters. He apparently wanted to prove such a thing to the adults too, and asked her if she wanted to be his partner in a coming battle the knights were going to be taking on in the desolate world of Lorta.

Of course Millu accepted, how could she pass up an adventure when it had been AGES since she had felt anything short of the thrill of battle without her master by her side? She had come to love her master like a father, sure, and it was nice to learn from him and go to war beside him, but a teenaged girl like her needed the company of folks her age too- especially boys, and Kyle was a quite handsome male specimen at that.

And that is how Millu found herself in quite the situation- sitting behind a guy she had met like, three times at most, in a ship stolen from the temple, in possession of an also stolen lightsaber in addition to her own. She never told Kyle that it those were almost useless to her- Beric still hadn't taught her anything but a few basic stances when it came to lightsabers- they were too focused on solving her force problem.
"Okay, I got your back too, Kyle!" she smiled at his expression, it was quite common among pilots, but it had definitely taken one or two of her braincells to understand.

Kyle jumped out of their fighter first and made for her to follow him, when suddenly Millu's newest companion fell unconcious on Lortanian soil, just like that. Millu started to scare a little, maybe this mission was way too much for them after all... "Kyle?! Are you okay? Please wake up-" she exclaimed, jumping as quickly as possible out of the small ship, only to pass out beside the boy, a hand laying on his chest, and... wake outside her body?

As far as she could see, her companion was also in spirit form beside her, a look of determination on his face. Maybe she should tell him about her small lightsaber related issue? Things would probably get violent real soon...

Oh no, they were in deep chit.

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[Draconis Sederius Wolf]

Equipment: Standard Confederate Battle Armor (U/A), Dart Rifle, SYC Smoke grenades, Frag grenades, 1 DEX Satchel Charge
Local Forces: 1st Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Surric Local Defense Force Expeditionary Forces
Objective: Secure beach head, establish headquarters, link in and support local forces
Tags: Auria Blackmoore , Vytal Noctura , Tegan Farron , Nick Brellor , Ruus Kote , Darth Metus​

As far as most operations and attacks went, this was about bog standard for the kind of Counter-Insurgency style of operations and major attack on small scale paramilitary forces. It was going well as the other AT-3 made its second gun run on the enemy position, a massive BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRT with a cacophony of explosions and shrapnel as its rotary autocannon shredded the jungle, people, and weapons that used to be in that position that were attempting to open fire on their landing zone. Draconis would fire repeatedly into the remaining few positions, as the rest of the troopers did the same and would suppress the enemy while their cohorts in the second gunship dismounted. With two squads on the ground, three hundred and sixty degree security would be set up as Draconis called up to the barely second wave of gunships.

"Dusty 5-2, Overlord Actual,"

"Go for Dusty 5-2,"

"Dusty 5-2, LZ is open, package is cleared for drop,"

"Roger Overlord, making approach,"

Draconis was about to mutter to himself that this seemed to go be going to well when his sensors reported movement ahead of them.

What the hell-

His thoughts were interrupted as the swamp came alive with movement, bodies rising out of the low water as the very dead came to life. Bodies would rise out of the water as the two squads of ten men each held their ground and opened fire into the new challengers. Machine guns would cut lose with a steady dakkadakkadakka followed by the thumpthumpthump of the individual riflemen's weapons. And as the AT-2 Dusty 5-2 came in and opened the drop bay, more Marines would disembark with shouts as the troopers and two Hover APCs came into the swamp's clearing. Laser cannons began opening fire into the crowds as they came out into the open, and more machine guns and rifles would join them. But it was quite clear they wouldn't be enough, especially when the dead started rising out amongst their position, men crying out in surprise as they were suddenly dragged below the muck by multiple hands. It was turning into a brawl, and with the oncoming horde not showing any signs of slowing they were in danger of being overrun. Draconis himself ran over to the comms operator while frantically waving his hands at the dropship to get off the ground before they climbed aboard. Several bodies would rise out of the knee deep water and attempt to latch onto the ramp as it rose from the ground, thankfully the load master was paying attention and without hesitation pulled out his GP-1 sidearm and would begin shooting them off the ramp. The comms operator was frantically shooting his rifle as fast as he could while he searched for the platoon leader, not knowing he'd already been dragged below and more than likely torn apart by the undead. Draconis would grab the young man by his shoulder and yell over the din around them.

"GET ME THE EMERGENCY CHANNEL!"

"Aye sir!"

He would raise his forearm and began pressing a few buttons frantically as he scrambled to follow the order. Draconis would stand over him, rifle raised as he surveyed the situation. They would need an all out assault to repulse this attack and get them enough breathing room to secure the very ground they were standing on. They had codewords and battleplans for such scenarios, he just didn't think he'd have to call this one out from the get go.

"Emergency channel go sir!"

"This is Overlord Actual, FALLEN ANGEL, I say again, FALLEN ANGEL!"

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Aboard Odin Assault Ship "Daedalus"

"This is Overlord Actual, FALLEN ANGEL, I say again, FALLEN ANGEL!"

The ship's captain would spit out his coffee at the comms traffic that just came through. Immediately looking at the Comms officer as he waited the split second for it to be called out into the room. The comms officer would shout his relay to the rest of the controllers directing their specific units and fighter wings.

"Landing Zone Baker is Fallen Angel!"

A series of acknowledgements were followed by a frantic movements and shouting of various controllers.

"Break Break Break, Gold Squadron, retask imminent-"

"Dragon Flight new targets selected, designating approach vector-"

"- Zulu 6-5, select all available ground ordinance you are weapons free!"

"All reserve pilots to stations, scramble all craft! All pilots to stations!"

In the hangars ground crews scrambled to get the remaining F-22s and B-1s prepped, loading up munitions with a rushed but focused urgency. SIM-6 Hellfires with incendiary bombs, proton bombs, and other ordinance locked into place as quickly as possible with various crews shouting their coordination. Pilots ran across various decks to their launch platforms, with F-22 pilots scrambling up side ladders while B-1 pilots would quickly run up ramps into their craft with their gunnery crews. Pilots and gunners alike would strap in while cockpits closed, ramps sealed, and various pre-flight checks were run while each began their own pre-flight rituals. Sticks were tested, flight surfaces were checked, thrusters fired, and turrets gyrated as they prepared for takeoff. The first flight would be lifted and slotted into launch position, thruster shields were raised to protect the crew, the final few checks done as the engines would go to full military power, and a quick sharp salute to the ground crew to signal they were ready for launcher. This followed by a simple thumbs up to the catapult operator who would press a button that would unleash the magnetic accelerator rail holding the fighter's front gear. Afterburners would be already engaged as the various craft were hurled out at combat speed, the first three squadrons coming out at blazing speeds before rolling sharply to port and diving towards the indicated landing zone. It was a race against time, and while the B-1s weren't as fast as the F-22s, they carried much more ordinance than their fighter compatriots. Which meant the F-22s would have to hold the line until the heavier hitters started their various attack runs.

Meanwhile already deployed small craft were abuzz heading on their various pre-designated attack vectors to the landing zone. Multiple F-22s in multi-role mode, AT-1s and AT-3s, and a few B-1s that had been on reserve were now heading to the landing zone at blistering speed. Various HUDs of the pilots would show the normal instruments, gauges, and other craft data necessary for flight and operation but also lit up would be each individual craft's projected flight path. All of these paths were preset and determined to get them as quickly to the combat zone where they were needed while also ensuring they would be in perfect position to start their attack runs. And to ensure that craft didn't accidentally crash into each other or otherwise got in each other's way on the way. The three dropships already on scene would have it all displayed to them, taking up positions to maximize their weapons while ensuring they were well clear of projected flight paths of other incoming craft. Laser cannons raked the ground while rotary autocannons roared and missiles slammed into the ground. The SLDF 3rd Marines would unleash a hell of their own as they fought for every inch of ground they currently had. They wouldn't be overwhelmed and otherwise sent into the night quietly. They would dig deep. They would fight valiantly as the brave men and women of the Surric System, nay the Confederacy itself.

They just had to hold on until the wrath of an almighty vengeful god slammed into the oncoming enemy.

 

[Auria Blackmoore]

TAG: Vanya Aklin | Zaiya Valessa | Cord Starfall

MONSTERS​

It was surreal.

One moment she was still listening to Vanya speak and she had a sense of some other presences close to them - fellow Nightsisters by the familiarity of the sense.

And then everything got thrown out the window.

The power surge that ran across the ground had her and Vanya staring at one another wide-eyed. By the look on her fellow witch's face, told her that Vanya also recognised the power. It was one most Nightsisters possessed - especially their Dathomiri counterparts. And her sister's ominous words of "They are coming" sent goosebumps running up Auria's arms.

Then everything happened at once.

The ground broke apart and the dead rose from all around. And it seemed that she and Vanya weren't the only ones under attack from the army of the dead, but the familiar presences finally revealed themselves as well. A Dathomiri Zabrak as well as someone Auria had seen once or twice around Naboo as well. But there was no time for cake and tea, as a gaggle of zombies were making a beeline straight towards her.

It might have caught her by surprise, but Auria was no stranger to the undead. Summoning the power of the Nether, balls of fire were conjured in her hands before she hurled them at the oncoming corpses. The molten balls seemed to have some effect on the oncoming undead, as they fell to the ground, on fire and screeching incoherently.
"Fire! Fire seems to have an effect!" she shouted at her fellow sisters in the vicinty, sending balls of fire in every direction as quick as she could.

 

[Aya Lin]

Location: Aboard the Munificent-class star frigate The Gauntlet
Equipment: Specialized Anti-Hazard Combat Armor | BAW-77 Tactical Blaster Rifle | BAW-57 Heavy Blaster Pistol
Objective: Establish a vantage point and a link to friendly forces.
Tags: Auria Blackmoore Vytal Noctura Tegan Farron Nick Brellor Ruus Kote Darth Metus Draconis Sederius Wolf
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A munificent frigate had come out of hyperspace in orbit of Lorta. Aya was on the bridge dawning her armor while holding her helmet beside her as she stood behind the ships's new captain, TX-0307. "So what am I going to expect on Lorta, Three-Seven?" The command droid turned to face her, it didn't look perplexed but it was kind of easy to pick up. "Did you not read the briefing provided to you by the High Marshal before he sent you here?" It asked in its monotonic tactical droid voice. "I read the situation and that was it, didn't really know what was on Lortha besides swamps, ghosts, and cultists."

Three-Seven just stared at the lieutenant before ushering another word. "I cannot provide you with anymore data then what your mission details lieutenant. I can only tell you to prepare your men for the unknown variables you will face on this mission." It wasn't the answer Aya was looking for but what was she expecting to be honest? It's not like the rest of her allies had an idea either, not even the Knights Obsidian and they were the ones who did all the cryptic stuff that she would normally here in ghost stories. And here she was living her own ghost story. What fun she thought reluctantly. Her apprehensions would be interrupted when the high pitch speech of a B1 droid pierced the atmosphere, "Sir! Surric Fighters are being scrambled to the surface, they seem to be in a hurry."

Looking out the bridge of the ship, they could see multiple fighters diving into Lorta's atmosphere. "The Surric forces appear to be overwhelmed. Lieutenant Lin, prepare your men for departure."

"Roger." Aya replied urgently and hurried down to the hangar where she would lead 12th Platoon to her objective. Dropships were prepared and the rest of the company was prepping to be taken to the surface. Dropships with 25 soldiers were prepped and departed for Lorta. They would follow the Surric bombers, leaving enough distance to allow them perform their run and return to their ship. Anticipation escalated as members of the Naboo Expeditionary Force were rattling in their seats as they were brought to the surface. Aya's heart was thumping not really knowing what to expect. All the thoughts of ghosts and cultists just made her anxious but she was just excited to get down there and see some action.

Before she could even reach her next thought the pilot had announced on the intercom, "Two minutes." Her voice boomed as Aya straightened herself. She then spoke on the NEF's comms. "Alright Milla, here's the situation. Confederacy forces have already been deployed to establish staging areas to link all friendly forces to prepare for an all out assault on the ritual site. We aren't going to be facing any 'normal' hostiles, intel suggests these ritualists have powers that even the Knights Obsidian don't understand. So stay on your toes."

Once Aya finished her speech, the dropships had touched the LZ and the noise of hellfire could be heard in the distance. SLDF was giving hostiles hell. Compared to the NEF though, they were met with relative silence. The only sounds they heard were distant explosions and rotary cannons. Everyone was found knee deep in a swamp. Aya could overhear her soldiers groaning and making snide remarks at the bog they found themselves in. "Alright, looks like dropships won't be able to get us further. Tree line is too thick so we have to go on foot."

"Why couldn't we get bombers to just bomb the feth out of the planet. It's not like we're losing much." One of the soldiers said as she struggled her way through the bog.

"Because Jenari, if Minister Brayde wanted to bomb this planet he would've used his dreadnaught to do it."

"Shut the feth up and move, we have ground to cover."

While Aya was their commanding officer, the NEF was small enough to be a tight unit. Majority of the NEF were former Royal Guard thus already knew each other from their days on Naboo. It wasn't foreign for them to be so casual towards one another. She then got on the Confederacy open comm, "This is Lieutenant Aya Lin of the Naboo Expeditionary Force to any and all Confederacy ground forces. We've touched the surface of Lorta and we're making our way to our objective. Lin out."

Fanned out, the NEF insertion group had marched through the swamp uninterrupted at a snail's pace. Just radio silence besides the occasional explosion in the distance. The grey atmosphere didn't do much to ease the mind. Yet they marched onward.

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[Darth Metus]

UNSEAT THE POWER

Things went to Hell rather quickly.

Before its very photoreceptors, the ground began to shudder and quake. The Iron Beast had a concept of what the Force was in its memory banks - but it could not fathom that the power would give rise to such an adversary. What emerged to impede their mission was literal death. Bodies adorned with rotting flesh. Withering bone. Guttural moans filled the air as the undead rose to battle. Defensively, the Iron Beast empowered its shield generator. A bubble popped into being around its form whilst it analyzed the scenario.

Meanwhile, the comms went wild. The Surric forces were up to their eyes in chit, but seemed to be holding out for fire from above. Allied forces had arrived in orbit as well. Moreover, one of the adjacent Witches had found a vulnerability. Fire. The Beast could work with that. At once, its rotary cannons hummed - spinning up before laying down a hellish spray upon the enemy. The hailstorm of bolts ripped through the rotting corpses, and the Iron Beast turned in a neat half circle to clear as many of the advancing horde as it could.

It advanced. Claws thundering into the dirt as it bounded ahead of the Witches and Commandos. The Iron Beast was the tip of the spear, clearing a path towards the mouth of the cavern. The sorcerors would have their due - it would see to that.​

Nick Brellor | Ruus Kote | Tegan Farron | Auria Blackmoore | Vanya Aklin | Zaiya Valessa | Vytal Noctura | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall​

 

[Tegan Farron]

Objective: Unseat the Power
TAG: Nick Brellor | Ruus Kote | Darth Metus | Draconis Sederius Wolf



All at once, everything went straight down the tube. What had started out being normal (well, as normal as it ever got) procedure turned into something made of pure nightmares. The ground had started to split open in pockets and patches, allowing for re-animated corpses to pull themselves from their resting places. And they most certainly weren't the lumbering, clumsy creatures that horror stories talked about either. These monstrosities moved with purpose, and much more quickly than dead flesh should ever allow.

"Its always something gross." Tegan groused, more to herself, but with the helmet on everyone on the comm would hear it of course. Not that she cared. The rifle on her back was pulled free and around the front of her frame and she didn't hesitate to start unloading it into the advancing undead. She did catch sight of one that had started to get the almost literal jump on her, but it hit the ground before it could spring. There was only a brief moment before Tee to glance at Nick with a quick nod before he was knocked to the ground. Her body pivoted and her rounds were unloaded into the offending zombie-like creature right up until it was kicked away from Nick's frame.

Tee then was quick to move the distance between herself and Nick and offer a hand up to him. "Come on, no laying down on the job!" It may not have been an appropriate time to tease, but when did that ever stop her before? Besides, they needed everyone on their feet to help beat back this advancing, undead line.

At least until the large, metallic beast had not only made it's landing, but took over the head of the charge as well. Only a few straggling corpses seemed to slip past the flaming barrier that had been created, and they were easy enough for those behind the large, beastly machine to mow down. But even then Tegan didn't lower her weapon, she knew better.

"Note for the future," she started, frowning though it couldn't be seen behind her helmet. "Start carrying anything and everything that creates fire." Rounds, detonators, whatever it took. Anytime she went anywhere and ran into hostiles, fire always seemed to be the underlying weakness. "Not a great way to start this run, guys." she did point out, though she didn't quite reach the humorous tone she was aiming for when she stated as such this time.

 

[Kyle Torchwood]

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WEARING: xxx
TAG: Millu Lee

The girl's answer brought a smirk to Torch's face. They had each other's backs, and he hoped that meant for the inevitable moment when they got caught too. He knew it was a longshot that they would get away with running off as they had, especially with a ship and sabers missing from the armory, but he could hope. It wasn't like they couldn't be effective on the ground. Both had some level of training, and there were those younger than them who had seen battle before. Kyle was tired of being told he couldn't be on the field, and it seemed that was even more of a constant since the Knight's numbers had been decimated to new lows.​

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What neither of them had accounted for was the out of body experience. Well, maybe Millu did, but Kyle had not read the full reports. All he knew was there had been trouble. At first there was a bit of shock, looking at his own form on the ground when he knew he was very much alive still, that was odd. That settled, and once it did, his eyes fell on the other form, the one which had her arm draped on his chest.​

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"Cuddling already... I thought that was for the third date," Kyle smirked with a wink.​

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Yeah, he was flirting, and why now. Millu was pretty and they were about the same age. There was nothing in the Knights Obsidian code or manuals which said he couldn't flirt with pretty girls, or fellow squires, so why not. Besides he wouldn't have been much of a Corellian, or teenage boy, had he not tried to flirt at least a little.​

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That would be short lived once he realized the carnage which had been taking place around them. Spirits fighting, and some of the combatants were Knights Obsidian that Kyle had recognized. Whatever was going, it was definitely in the category of weird and alarming.​

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One of the lightsabers Kyle had in his hand came to life. The snap hiss was not a super familiar sound to him, but enough that he was confident he would be able to handle himself in a fight. He shrugged as he looked to the brunette.​

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"I suppose we should get to it eh?"​

 

[Draconis Sederius Wolf]

Equipment: Standard Confederate Battle Armor (U/A), Dart Rifle, SYC Smoke grenades, Frag grenades, 1 DEX Satchel Charge
Local Forces: 1st Marine Battalion, 3rd Marine Division, Surric Local Defense Force Expeditionary Forces
Objective: Secure beach head, establish headquarters, link in and support local forces
Tags: Auria Blackmoore , Vytal Noctura , Tegan Farron , Nick Brellor , Ruus Kote , Darth Metus , Aya Lin , A ARS VAMI ,​

Draconis would raise his rifle as he just reloaded a new magazine and began firing into the oncoming horde of undead when he saw the fighters roar past overhead followed by super sonic booms and the whistle of ordinance. Bombs would hurtle through the air with a high pitched whistle paired with missiles as explosions would rock the ground in front of the troops. And it didn't stop after one pass. One after another fighters would launch missiles, fire laser cannons and guns, drop bombs, and otherwise rain hell on the predesignated attack zones right outside of the SLDF position. Like the coordinators above in the SLDF Daedalus were maestros of war, death and destruction. Pilots would follow the HUD guidance system as they locked targets, dropped payloads and fired everything they had onto the ground. And before long it was just the F-22s that were responding. B-1s with their massive payloads would get into position and drop entire salvos of bombs and incendiary explosives, painting the very ground before them in fire. Massive blasts would rock the area as undead were either atomized, flash ignited and then burned to carbon, or otherwise torn to pieces by various fires. The power of the SLDF Star Fighter and Bomber Corps was on display as the literal wall of fire and explosions was erected between the formerly dead and the SLDF ground troops now turning to clear out the remaining undead in their position. The Marines would turn about and begin properly finishing off these would be threats, savaging them with rifle and pistol fire while their brothers in the air would give them cover to do so. And in a matter of minutes their position would be secure. Marines would pull ammo from the deceased, machine gunners would take up better positions as the unceasing hell was unleashed from the sky, and Draconis himself would take a position at the tip of the spear. He watched as one of the last flights would make its pass, dropping more incendiaries in front of the soldiers, clearing out a massive swathe of the dead. He would call out to his radio man.

"Tell Daedalus, White Knight!"

"Aye sir!"

They would hold position as the fires blazed, but figures were still approaching through them. Undead that had managed to survive were still coming, though rather slowly now as they were burning to death once more. That wouldn't stop the SLDF though, they knew their duty and would open fire. It would be right about now when the radio specialist would receive various other calls from other forces that had just hit ground side.

While Aya was their commanding officer, the NEF was small enough to be a tight unit. Majority of the NEF were former Royal Guard thus already knew each other from their days on Naboo. It wasn't foreign for them to be so casual towards one another. She then got on the Confederacy open comm, "This is Lieutenant Aya Lin of the Naboo Expeditionary Force to any and all Confederacy ground forces. We've touched the surface of Lorta and we're making our way to our objective. Lin out."

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The Xeno in orbit in Naaol received an urgent assignment to transport supplies from the planet to Lorta where the Confederate forces were in a complicated situation. The airborne forces of the marines embarked on an Odin-class ship and the local ones were engaged in violent ground battles against unidentified enemy forces. Xeno would bring medical personnel and health supplies as quickly as possible. A few hours later. The Xeno came out of hyperspace 30 km from the Daedalus. Ars Vami called the transport: “Here the Xeno, we have been hired to bring you medical supplies and support personnel from Naaol. We would be ready in twenty minutes for the passage of the containers ”. The communication closed, making himself heard from the entire bridge: "I want a complete analysis of this mess and I want it ready within 90 minutes when we should have finished with the deliveries."

"Sir we got forces from Naboo reporting in that they are enroute to their objective! Also forces from Naalol are enroute as well with medical supplies and more forces,"

"Tell them to beware of the enemy, the very ground hides them and we must not flounder in our vigilance. Prepare to stand men, for today we show the might of Surric's finest!"

The fires had began to burn low now, and while the undead were still present they were no longer fighting a disorganized position that was attempting to stop itself from being overrun. The men and women of Surric had reconsolidated their position, set up a unified front, and were now ready to face them head on. Laser cannon fire from the IFVs and man portable weapons from the SLDF would sound the newly restarted offensive maneuver.

"MARINES FORWARD! HOORAH!"​

 

[Arianna Belasko]

Wearing: Naiad Combat Armor

Armed with: Chimera (Yellow Bladed Single Lightsaber)

Current Persona: Vivian (See Bio)

Came to Lorta in: Cathedral Yacht

Objective: BYOO (Provide Relief to natives from the various Force Phenomena)

She had genuinely tried to put off the feeding as long as possible.

But as her skin sagged and muscles ached, she knew she couldn't hold it off anymore. Reluctantly she had headed to a home she had acquired as Vivian. An unassuming, simple cottage out on the plains outside Theed

The Naboo Patrolman had been sleepy when she had surprised him the night before, rendering him unconscious with a whispered spell. She had kept him sedated after bringing him there, locked in a basement. He wouldn't be permanently harmed just total amnesia regarding who kidnapped him and how.

The Force Spawn sighed as she climbed down. He had already awoken. Her skin was shriveled like a prune from having held back the feeding for so long.

He was a young man frightened. Vivian felt bad as she placed wrinkled hands on his face, taking the psychic energy of his mind into herself, rejuvenating her flesh, and causing much of the wrinkling to disappear. Vivian however, was careful to not take too much. That would cause Arianna to re-emerge.

The screaming man was soon unconscious once more, and Vivian reluctantly unshackled him to carry him out of the basement in the dead of night, placing him in her luxurious green speeder, telling her droid pilot to drop him off somewhere.

The Witch sighed.

She couldn't do that anymore. People had started to think her sick.

Vivian made her living in this form as both a healer and part time school teacher. But since she had begun to distinguish herself more and more, using her actual self's identity, she had decided to offer her services to the CIS as a Light Side consultant to Dark Related threats.

Topped up enough to keep going for days if she had to, Vivian had checked her holomail, realizing she had been summoned to Lorta on a humanitarian relief effort.

She had departed at once, slipping on her white Naiad Armor and immediately heading to the city, where her heavily armed and defended Yacht awaited. It was a slow journey to her, despite the fast hyperdrive.

She simply had too much to think about. While Laertia had indeed become a Light Sith like Vivian had hoped she would, it had cost her so much and Laertia was so on edge at all times now. But Vivian didn't know what to do and Themis seemed paralyzed by something. Indecision.

Vivian tried not to dwell on it. She wanted to make what difference she could under her own ability as she headed to Lorta.

007 hours later...

Lorta was gray, rocky, and desolate in many ways. The Force hung in the air, making her flesh ripple and shudder as she stepped off, armed with only a Lightsaber.

A village had fallen to the same sleeping sickness as the others had, and Vivian was to find some way, any way of putting a halt to it. Trouble was, they were located in a particularly isolated canyon, set deep in the desolate Lortan landscape with a single river running through it.

Vivian was on alert, instantly sensing The Dark Side polluting the canyon. The invisible spirits prosecuted their war with each other even here.

Vivian began the journey into the narrow canyon, and it wasn't long before she found corpses, washed ashore against the small river.

Vivian felt the Dark Side flood her senses. She instantly summoned The Light to her finger tips, which coalesced into the form of a spike of light. Her version of Force Light.

There was a green swirl from the ground, near the corpses, a skeletal specter arose from it, wielding an etherial sword wreathed in green fire.

"Who are you? Why are you doing this?" Vivian called out.

Instead of an answer, it rushed her, swiping fast and hard.

Vivian dodged the strikes, using her Lightsaber and spike of light to deflect fast and furious strikes with enhanced strength, the ghostly warrior unrelenting. But Vivian equally so. However, her Juyo could not over come its defense, and she was forced to retreat backward, evading savage strikes, as she began flinging spikes of light to try and disperse the creature. It gave an unearthly, shrieking howl as a spike pierced it, glowing brilliantly before it burst, but did not stop it.

Vivian backed the hell of, flinging two to three spikes at at time, its skeletal figure cracking as more spikes hit it.

Vivian finally managed to hit it in the skull with multiple light spikes, which finally shattered its aura, dispersing it.

Vivian took a moment to center herself, then began to investigate the corpses. That magic had a distinctly Nightsister feel to it.

She found a trinket on one, a very old, old trinket. This was definitely Dathomir in origin. They must have taken it from a shrine. Poor dumb Bastards. Who knows how many were left?

She had also found something else, a scroll...clutched in the hand of a corpse.

Sensing a deep imprint of the Force upon it, Vivian opened it, finding it depicted a cloaked figure with globes and rays of light coming from their hands.

Vivian's flesh bubbled and melted everywhere as she began taking in the knowledge sealed in the scrow, her body metabolizing the knowledge into her very being...

(Vivian has leveled up!)

(New Force Powers and Spell gained!)

Power: FORCE LIGHT (BURST)

Spoiler

Coalesce Light Side Energy for a grenade like effect that acts over a wide radius, severely injuring and possibly killing dark Adepts, and heavily stunning everyone else. As skill grows, More "grenades" can be conjured, and radius increases.

Power: FORCE LIGHT (JAVELIN)

Spoiler

Force Light variant manifesting as a large Javelin. Can be thrown at sniper rifle distances. Capable of killing or maiming Dark Adepts, and heavily stunning everyone else. As skill grows, more javelins can be conjured.

Spell: CONSTANT LIGHT

Spoiler

Leaves a stationary ball of glowing light that harms any dark adept exposed

Her flesh ceased to melt and shudder as she metabolized the knowledge fully then she searched corpses some more, recovering loot...

(Zelda Acquisition Theme Plays)

(Weapon and Equipment Acquired!)

Weapon: TRISHOT

Spoiler

Triple barreled blaster, whose barrels are in a row on a motorized track with laser sites on each barrel, enabling the barrels to be fired horizonally or vertically as a special mod, but the reason for such is not understood...

Item: GRAVITY GENERATOR (HAND HELD)

Spoiler

Device adapted as a glove under mount to induce a localized gravity swell on targets, temporarily slowing them down. Chews through power cells, enabling only three uses before power cell must be replaced.

Vivian integrated the gravity generator to a suit clove, the device having been modded to fit a hand as a small, fold up palm device and made sure the pistol was loaded before going further...

 

[Aya Lin]

Location: Surface of Lorta
Equipment: Specialized Anti-Hazard Combat Armor | BAW-77 Tactical Blaster Rifle | BAW-57 Heavy Blaster Pistol
Objective: Establish a vantage point and a link to friendly forces.
Tags: Auria Blackmoore Vytal Noctura Tegan Farron Nick Brellor Ruus Kote Darth Metus Draconis Sederius Wolf A ARS VAMI
​

"Lieutenant we've been contacted by Surric forces. They're warning us that the enemy hide beneath us." Said the comms specialist. Aya sighed, "Everyone watch where you step, hostiles could be right where you are." The rest of the NEF task force cursed and looked around the swamp, it was like one of those horror holoflicks but feth it could actually happen to them. Still they pressed on, the eeriness of the planet did nothing to ease the mind, what sounded like screams of the hostiles they were told to fear was just the wind screaming through the tree lines. The battle waged by the SLDF in the distance still echoed, maybe these enemies from beyond the grave were being drawn to the noise of battle, could be a possibility. Still tension amongst the unit was high as they treaded throughout the swamp.

The soldier to Aya's left sighed. "Reminds me of that op back on Naalol."

"Naalol was way colder than this, plus we were pinned down by insurgents in the mountains, not by zombies in the swamp."

"Yeah but you still have that feeling of being watched."

"You always feel like you're being watched Vill."

Things seemed to be going well, maybe too well.

"FETH!"

A scream could be heard to the right before a splash in the swamp could be heard. Blaster fire could be heard in the distance and Aya rushed with her squad to see what was happening. The swamp water, deep to their knees slowed them down a bit but when Aya could reach the source of the noise, one of her men emerged from the swamp looking like he had seen a ghost. But there wasn't enough to process what had happened as more of the undead emerged from the swamp. "CONTACT! MULTIPLE CONTACTS ALL SIDES!" Aya shouted which was followed by spastic blaster fire being shot at the hordes surrounding them. The squads converged one another but the more they bundled together the more they made themselves vulnerable to being surrounded. "Milla Actual to all squads. Keep a steady pace to the objective. Make every shot count. If we stay here we're dead. Let's move Milla." With orders dispatched and Milla Company recollecting themselves, Aya and the rest of their men moving through the swamp, becoming fast and deadly targets so the zombies wouldn't catch them.

A few stumbled over some rotting body parts but pressed on. Aya's heart started to beat fast, she could hear the pace of her breath picking up as she kept her head on a swivel. Squeezing her trigger once every shot making sure to hit every zombie in the head. But it often took three shots due to her constant movement. Time became an illusion as more of the undead just kept rising from the swamp. Aya was down three magazines, detonators were being hurled at oncoming zombies. The hordes numbers started to build as they treaded deeper into enemy territory.

 

[Millu Lee]

​

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THE UNSEEN WAR​

Location: Lorta

Attire: [X]

Tag: Kyle Torchwood



Millu blushed profusely at Kyle's snarky flirt, and then decided to not tell him yet of her lack of saber habilities. "Well, I guess I move forward a little too fast then. " she replied with a smile, before looking at the landscape around them, that was grim and very, very weird- The mean-looking spirits were fighting Knights of Obsidian that seemed just as sete-through as Millu and her companion, which most likely meant that their bodies were lying somewhere, unconcious just like hers.



If push came to shove anyway, lightsaber fighting couldn't be that difficult, after all it was just a stick that could cut anything. All one had to do was swing it around at your enemies, right? And if they swung at you, you'd swing at their weapon. Yeah, it couldn't be that hard.



Millu would never say anything and Kyle would never have to know how bad she was at it. Her thoughts turned to a more immediate light as her companion ran off, apparently craving the thrill of battle. She quickly followed him. Taking her master's aunt's lightsaber out from the pouch on her hip and igniting it, Millu gripped the hilt with both her trembling hands.

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[Abel Denko]

LORTA

There were far more questions than answers.

Upon reaching the side of his fellow Knight, Abel posed a question - just what the hell were they up against. Felix explained as best as he possibly could. They seemed to be going up against death itself. Spectres were waging war before their very eyes, and some of the forms one could recognize as bearing the arms and armor of the Knighthood. If Abel had to put a word to what was unfolding before his eyes, "out of body experience" was definitely at the top of the list. No matter. There was clearly peril unfolding and their comrades needed assistance. The town ahead was beset by spirits and their allies were attempting to push back.

"Looks like we're killing ghosts." Abel remarked, before giving Felix a confident nod. The Knight was just about to arm himself with his own lightsaber when the shriek reached his ears. Turning, his gaze fell upon his apprentices - Luna who was approaching, and Illyria who was staring at something on the ground. "Knight Aquila, move on ahead - I'll be right behind you in a second." he advised, before briskly striding over to his charges. Given that Illyria was standing, his first thought was that maybe she had seen a dead body on the ground.

Had it been her first time seeing a casualty? He had not stopped to consider what an actual warzone would wreak upon her mind. For a moment, he simply motioned with his chin for Luna to join him as he stopped at Illyria's side. And that's when he saw her. "W-What the?" he breathed, before lowering himself to one knee. It was impossible. How was his student's body on the ground, yet she was standing right beside him? Were they... He reached out, gingerly pressing his fingertips upon the "corpse's" neck. Relief poured over him almost immediately. Then, just to check, he placed his palm in front of her nostrils.

His fingers warmed - she was breathing. Deeply. Slowly. "Good news is...we're not dead." he began, piecing together that they must all be in that state. "Bad news is, I've no clue how to get us back into our bodies. The chitshow happening must be part of this." The Knight rose, reaching out to both Luna and Illyria. He placed a hand upon each of their cheeks, offering a confident grin. "Eyes up you two. We'll get this sorted out."

"But first, we've got some ghosts to feth up. Stay close."

His arms lowered. His lightsaber flew to his waiting grasp and ignited. At least he could still interact with the waking world - which was good. Knight Aquila wouldn't find himself alone in his advance, for Denko and his apprentices were right behind him. And into the ghastly frey did they leap.​

Felix Aquila | Luna Evanstance | Illyria Le Fey​

 

[Darth Metus]

LORTA - BREAKTHROUGH

Come what may, the Iron Beast pushed forward.

The comms rattling within the War Droid's processor painted an ever-improving view of the battlefield. The stalwart forces of Surric had rained down devastation upon the undead hordes. Assistance from Naalol and Naboo was inbound. The theatre behind the cavern was quickly coming under control. Thus, the Iron Beast would not need to divide its focus - for everything was in the capable hands of its fellows. Now, it could continue to be the tip of the spear. That was something it excelled in. Its rotary cannons continued to unleash fiery wrath upon the mushy bodies. As soon as they dared to rise from the surface, their forms were mowed down before it.

Its fangs and claws would not be denied. Any who dared to get close were quickly rent apart. And those who slipped past were quickly demolished by the fireteam at the Beast's heels.

But.

It would appear as though the dead ones wisened up to the threat of the beast's advance. They no longer shambled forward or popped out of the earth before it. Rather, they began to rise underneath it. Countless hands burst out of the ground at once, seizing the Iron Beast. They attempted to burden its chassis and ground its advance. They gripped and grabbed, so much so that aiming its cannons down would pose a risk to its own form. The Iron Beast processed as quickly as it could, but the situation was much akin to being caught in quicksand. The Iron Beast was about to shriek through the comms for assistance from the fireteam when its sensors came alive.

Heat. The temperature was rising exponentially around it. The hands which held it bound began to ignite. This was an occurrence that the Beast had no means of planning for - but it would not let the opportunity slip past. It fought back to its feet, claws stamping upon the quickly burning flesh. And, once free, it let loose rockets into the furthest advancing horde.

KABOOM!​

The mouth of the cavern was clear - but the opening would last for only a few precious moments. The Iron Beast relayed the urgency over the comms and continued its push. All the while unaware that its Rider was watching. And so long as the Sith lived, his Beast would never fight alone.

Primary Objective: Cavern Mouth is CLEAR. Advance. Advance. Advance.​

Nick Brellor | Ruus Kote | Tegan Farron | Auria Blackmoore | Vanya Aklin | Zaiya Valessa | Vytal Noctura | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall | A ARS VAMI | Aya Lin​

 

[Felix Aquila]

Tag: Abel Denko / Illyria Le Fey / Luna Evanstance <3
Attire: This
Objective: One - The Fiendish House Aquila
Equipment:

• - Light-saber
• - Personal Shield
• - Armourweave Clothing

There was a chance that the men and women fighting off the wave of spirits could be overwhelmed was unacceptable, as a shriek sounded from behind him, Felix's fellow knight would move to investigate ushering him to move to aid the front-line as quickly as possible. Nodding once in affirmation he would begin to charge, willing the force to flow through his body as he would grip the ancient saber at his side once belonging to Shaela Nurr. This weapon was used to combating dark things, it seemed as though it was going to have a chance to finally do so once again. The force pushed Felix to move faster and faster the world beside him blurring past as the Knight Obsidian took to the fleet, weaving through the final remnants of the trees without losing momentum as he would come to the edge of the town.

Once he arrived he would make to the streets, his brilliant melange blade met with his golden eyes burning brightly as his will to succeed and fight would burn with a righteous fervor. Striking from the flank, creatures caught unaware would be hit with his light-foil, tearing through form after form as ectoplasmic specters would detonate in the clouds of ethereal mass they must have been made of with a ghost-like shriek. Quickly it would seem that the crowds would wheel on Felix from beyond, weapons in hand from their time alive as they would rush him.

Three ghosts would charge the Knight who would dance backwards evading a swing thrusting towards his opponent in a counter-offensive which would find itself blocked and parried by another of the specters as the third would move to capitalize on his failed attack, striking down from on high causing the young knight to disengage, thrusting his weapon as well as the one of his attacker aside to interject to his intentions. These creatures, hungry in their desire to consume the living would charge again, Felix moving to counterattack, met that charge head-on.

Slipping to the side of a thrust he would raise his right arm, his energy shield flaring to life as the weapon that impacted it would detonate one of the unstable layers of the matching golden shell. Forced to roil backwards from the burst of the reactive armour of the CROSS shield, Felix was given moments as his weapon clashed with the third and final weapon, ducking low and slamming his energy shield into the chest of the specter, another layer shattered throwing the spirit backwards and away, leaving two... for now.

Growing confident Felix ducked a horizontal follow up form the specter he had avoided first, thrusting out his blade up to catch it in the chest while he simultaneously rose his shield to defend his flank from the third aggressor who, now anticipating the knock-back of the shield would not reel as much from the blow. But as the dominoes began to fall the first of the three shafted on the end of a lightning quick saber, Felix would whirl it it to strike at the recoiling arm of the blocked creature with one strike, inverting its momentum after and bringing it through its chest. Just as the first recovered, hurling a small weapon in a hasted blur which would catch Felix's shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain looking to the knife in confirmation.

~Being hit so early? Damnit...~ Felix would think to himself as the enemy charged, welling up force power down the end of his weapon before letting out a blast causing the ghost to reel from the blinding light, swiping his saber through its knees low, avoiding its flailing weapon as it dispersed. Looking to the rest as he would grip the knife drawing it out from his body and testing his shield arm, he had about half his strength in it... he could use it, but he wouldn't be blocking anything with a lot of force behind it anytime soon.

Spoiler: plan

Fighting long dead specters of a long dead part of a Hutt Enforcer whose racketeering helped rise the Hutts to their prime in their day. Real gangster types who have gained more than a couple powers in being dead.

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[Vanya Aklin]

wearing: xXx
tag: Nick Brellor | Ruus Kote | Tegan Farron | Auria Blackmoore | Darth Metus | Zaiya Valessa | Vytal Noctura | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall | A ARS VAMI | Aya Lin

Time proved once more that it passed in the blink of an eye when she saw someone who was familiar, someone whose presence bought about a tidal wave of memories. Cord Starfall . Vanya knew who she was; knew her lineage, her heritage, her power because she knew her mother, Tegan. Vanya could recall when they'd first met; she'd traversed across Dathomir in search of Tegan, and found the Imp in exile from the Coven. That seemed to only last a short while before she was welcomed back and exiled once more. Vanya smirked with amusement. Those memories were from a lifetime ago and things had changed drastically. There were no immediate response to the other woman nor an acknowledgement as the undead descended upon them. Truth be told Vanya was indifferent to Cord. They had never been close, nor were they friends. They simply knew one another.

These thoughts were pushed aside as one of the animated dead lunched for her, snarling and snapping its broken teeth with an unnatural hunger. saliva and rot dripping from it. The Nightsister moved with confident, practised steps, stepping to the side and away to keep distance between them. This was not the first time she had dealt with the undead, and it would not be the last. More memories returned to her, this time of the trials and tribulations in the Quarantine Zone on Dathomir, and how her flesh has become a feast for the rotting remains that called the zone home. With a snap-hiss one of her lightsaber's ignited, the blade an ashen black-grey with the subtle appearance of smoking. That had been her reward for surviving the zombies and the undead Rancor - a Blackwing Virus crystal. And she cherished it dearly.

With another step back and a upward flick of her wrist, the smell of seared flesh permeated the air and the remains of the undead fell to the ground with a thump; it's head rendered from its body, one of the few things she had learned would down them. And as the remains fell from her field of vision, she had seen that which had been felt earlier - the Nightsister, Zaiya Valessa . Her connection to Dathomir and the magick was immediately seen in the green glow of her eye, and it amused and pleased the tattooed vixen. She was strong - and they would need her strength this day. The moment was interrupted when the ground shuddered beneath her feet, rocked with the explosive fury; cannon fire, laser fire, in an effort to hold ground.

And then she heard Auria Blackmoore's voice.

"Fire!"

Vanya didn't need to hear any more. The palm and fingers of her free hand warmed as fire engulfed it. The heat shot though her body, moved like molten lava through her veins, as though bringing her soul to life as a fireball was hurled at the gathering undead, bursting clothing and rotting flesh into flames. One had to wonder how many times was it now that the galaxy had been seen it, the nether rising, literal hell spreading it's taint.

"Get moving! Now!" The Nightsister barked at the women nearby before she had darted forward, into the path the Beast had cleared as the urgency of the moment was relayed via the comms. A hand aflame, ashen blade carving through those that would stand in her way, she moved forward, without hesitation, without fear. "Don't stop moving. Get to that cavern!." And with the path cleared the reckoning of the witches would soon follow.

 

[BX-4323]

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TAGS: Ruus Kote | Vanya Aklin | Nick Brellor | Tegan Farron | Auria Blackmoore | Darth Metus | Zaiya Valessa | Vytal Noctura | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall | BX-4381

As the dropship automatically began activating the platoon of commando droids while it neared the LZ, the tactical data from the recon squad began to flow across Deadeye's datalink.​

TARGET ACQUISITION // COMPLETE
COUNT: 96 LIFE SIGNS WITHIN TARGET RADIUS
ASSESSMENT: HOSTILE

Deadeye made sure that the datalink was locating friendlies and set to prevent friendly fire. Status data began to move through the datalink and the BX units came online. The 99th platoon's recon squad had dropped in from orbit, in order to provide enhanced situational awareness for the commandos.

RANGE TO TARGET: 1 km
ALPHA SQUAD // 16/16 DEPLOYED
BRAVO SQUAD // 16/16 READY
CHARLIE SQUAD // 16/16 READY

The dropship slowed to the maximum safe speed for deployment, and threw the platoon straight into the firefight. The low, loud noises of the cannon fire and the groans of the undead echoed through the jungle. As tactical data from the primary droids engaging the undead came in, Deadeye's tactical programming kicked in.

CANNONS: EFFECTIVE
M-8 SHOTGUNS: EFFECTIVE
LIGHT CARBINES: INEFFECTIVE
RECCOMENDATION: COMABT PLAN ECHO

The droids moved together, and began to thin out the masses of the undead, relying on Charlie squad's heavy weapons to mow down the zombies. Deadeye and the members of the command squad drew their vibroblades and began to slash through the ranks of the retreating zombies. The recon squad attempted to contact the forces where the other attacks had occurred.

99th Platoon // PRIMARY AREA SECURED
Mechanized Group // STATUS UNKNOWN
LZ Guard // HEAVY LOSSES

As the firefight died down, Deadeye began to review the statuses of the droids that were furthest away from Charlie, and began to command the dropship to bring in replacement parts and ammunition.

​

 

[Zaiya Valessa]

The strangers appeared to have their hands full as well, witches of unknown origin called for fire, suggesting that the dead were weak to it. It made sense, the flaming blade she wielded seemed to be effective against the horde of undead. She slashed with one hand, igniting the green flames in her hand and hurling the fire toward a creature as it charged at her, reaching and clawing at her arm, trying to bring her down to join their ranks. The slack jaw and absent eyes loomed over her, as though it might swallow her whole… It's only meal was the fist of flame she launched down what was left of its throat.

She darted away, feeling the sting along her arm of the wound such action had caused. Her left eye flared with magick as she launched herself toward the others, the enemy of her enemy could be a temporary ally. Whether she could trust them after the dead were vanquished, remained to be seen.

One of them cried to move, claiming the caverns a safe space. She leapt, throwing herself towards the caverns, dodging the shambling corpses as they tried to grab at her robes and pull her back. There were too many, more and more rising from the ground as time passed. Was this entire planet a graveyard?!

The caverns seemed to be safer indeed, the ground seemingly made of rock, so the dead could not rise there. It was something at least. Siren was relatively sure that these witches were not the culprit, as the dead would not attack their masters… probably.

Her chest heaved and her legs burned from the exertion, trying to keep ahead of the attackers, she wanted to know more, this atrocity could not stand! She had to put a stop to this disturbance.

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Vanya Aklin | Cord Starfall | Auria Blackmoore

 

[Arianna Belasko]

Objective: BYOO (Investigate village)

Vivian approached slowly, cautiously, still experiencing the sensation of The Dark Side.

The village was a clustering of stone buildings, primitive in design. Most didn't go above one level.

She saw lots of dead bodies in its main street. She sighed. Was she too late?

"Hello?" She called out as she entered the main avenue. "Is anybody alive?"

There was no answer. Vivian stepped forward, noting strange corpses and writing everywhere.

"Oh chit, it's gonna be one of those days..." Vivian complained as she went forward, looking to check on the corpses.

They must have stumbled on a ritual site. Vivian spotted trinkets adorning some of the mutilated corpses. Ritual necklaces, raw kyber pierced and threaded through with strings of corrupted tendon.

Snarls sounded from in the distance.

Nightsister Undead! But so far from Dathomir!

Vivian fired the Tri-Shot, the three blaster bolts ringing out, shredding the head off Undead armed with Light Bows.

But the trinkets on the corpses glowed, and the shredded off head reassembled on to the Undead Nightsister.

Vivian began shooting the trinkets, use the gravity generator to slow them down as more poured into the area. She had about three uses before the power cells were drained and she was suddenly relying on however much ammo was left in her Tri-Shot. She finally managed to down some of the undead, though at that point she finally ran dry of ammo.

She tested one of the new Force Light variants she had learned. A globule of Light Side energy formed in her hand, and Vivian tossed the grenade of Light.

It burst, showering sparks and catching the undead in its radius, burning through them. Any ritual necklace was destroyed in its radius also. But more poured in through various allies, and Vivian summoned more light, this time in the form of a Javelin, which she hurled at an approaching pack of undead, skewering and setting them ablaze. She took the time to hurl more daggers of light and burst open a few more undead, turning them to ash.

Blaster fire from a church like building provided relief, allowing her to hurl another grenade of Light in their direction. The burst destroyed many, buying enough breather room for Vivian to retreat in a now open church door, where she scrambled inside.

The door was shut immediately behind her and she beheld a crowd of frightened adults and children pointing shotguns at her. The church was stained with blood and lit candles, all windows and doors heavily barricaded and with torn open ration and water packs. All rapidly dwindling.

"You're new here." One of the defenders, a teenager pointing a shotgun at her said. "And a witch. Don't get too many of those on Lorta. Why have you come here, outsider?"

"My name is Vivian. I was sent to aid the village."

"You're late." Another called out. "They've killed almost everyone. Only us and the children are left..."

"Can you tell me how this all started?" Vivian asked.

"How else does this chit start? It...it was a prank. A prank that went terribly wrong..." The oldest man, clearly a village elder said.

"A prank created an undead army? I mean, I've heard of pranks going awry and creating maybe one or two undead. A Vampire even, on occasion...but never a whole army. What the hell did you people do? Defile a shrine? Recover an ancient relic?"

"We...we all got kinda drunk one night and started messing around with some old set charges from a mining operation. We...we accidentally blasted a tomb open and found all the jewelry. Actually had plans to sell it after we realized it was kyber jewelry. But that was a bad mistake..."

"No chit..." Vivian complained. "Did you take anything else?"

They parted and led the elderly looking Vivian to a small chamber in the back, which held a Golden Chalice writhing with purple, psychic energy in the cup.

Vivian drew closer to it, examining it.

Instinctively, she lifted it...and began absorbing the psychic energy involuntarily, causing everybody in the room to panic and seal the room, as Vivian absorbed so much Psychic energy her body triggered the mutations to transform her, cells on over drive as Vivian's mind vanished beneath the face and mind of a homicidal blond woman with youthful features...

Countess Arianna Belasko's eyes snapped open and she looked around.

Where the hell was she? How had she gotten here?

 

[Ruus Kote]

​

Immediate Friendly Forces:

• 1st Mechanized Infantry Battalion "Shereshoy", Mirta Kyrr's HQ Company "Shereshoy 6", HQ Platoon

Tag(s): Nick Brellor | Tegan Farron | Darth Metus | Auria Blackmoore | Vanya Aklin | Zaiya Valessa | Vytal Noctura | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall | A ARS VAMI | Aya Lin

Spoiler: Equipment

• Armor:
  • 'Verd'jurkad'gam'
    • NML-02VTB Nano missile Launcher
    • PC-05V Plasma Caster
    • TBP-01V Tractor-Pressor Beam Projector
    • MML-01V Miniaturized Missile Launcher
      • Surveillance Tagger Darts (2)
      • Electro Darts (2)
      • Explosive Darts (4)
• Weapons:
  • B-01M Beskad
  • M-06S 'Skirata' Mra'jitr (2)
  • RP-05A Ripper Pistol w/ 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' Short Range Optic
  • AR-2CQB Verpine Assault Rifle w/ UGL-02 Underbarrel Grenade Launcher and 'Kyrayc Sur'haai' Medium Range Optic
• Explosives:
  • 3x CryoBan Grenades
  • 3x NOVA40 Plasma Grenade
  • 2x Smoke Grenades
  • 2x Class-A Thermal Detonator
  • 2x Det-Packs
• Implants:
  • 'Verd' Enhancement Package
  • 'Gar Tkiriyr' Neural Interface

Ruus and company continued the march onward. Each Mandalorian had the benefit of the others' sensory equipment, and the way they moved, it showed. Ruus' men were among the better off when compared to other Strill units, especially compared to Rammikad units. The three units that he took operational command of in some form or another were still mostly at their original numbers, then again, they'd absorbed a lot of others from other battalions. Of the three battalions under Ruus' operational command, Ruus rarely ever went into battle with all three at full strength. Mandalorian strategic flexibility, which was what their SOP was written based on, demanded a more flexible approach. Their command structure for sure, was a lot more loose. Ruus was less a 'Colonel', and more the shabuire who decided their approach and cracked skulls if anyone stepped out of line. This suited his style of leadership very well.

"Shab yes," he said in response to Nick Brellor's remark about wanting a Bes'uliik. "Ever since I was a little ad'ika. Wouldn't know what to do with one..." Ruus' HUD made him trail off, alerting him to the fact that their IFVs had picked up movement, approximately two hundred meters out. According to what they'd picked up, there was no thermals, but he'd be damned if...whatever had been picked up, weren't walking...A moment's squinting at the datafeed revealed that wasn't walking...it was shambling. Just as he was about to call contact, the un-shabla-thinkable happened. The ground practically opened up and bodies began crawling out. Just like what they'd detected earlier, the bodies had no heat signature. Ruus didn't need his sensors to tell him the shabla things were because of some Netherworld kriffery. Now they were really in the osik.

The CIS Rammikade gave the order to open fire first, and his verde, knowing better than to wait for him to confirm that order followed the lead of the CIS commandos with them. It was barely a minute when his first magazine ran dry, he had no time to switch from AP rounds to HE. A quick look around had already told him that everything was going to haran. The damn things were surrounding them, trying to drag down his men, the CIS rammikade and trying to clamber all over the shabla vehicles. Pintle weapons, sponsons and main guns boomed, shredding what was around them, but not daring to open fire so close to friendly forces. They wouldn't be getting swarmed on their own, but it was on them to watch their own backs.

There were tense calls over the comms complaining about the unnatural resistance of what they were fighting, and others advising the use of whatever seemed to destroy the body rather than what would kill an organic. His men caught on quickly. On switching to HE, Ruus found that the shabla things went down a lot easier. One of the platoon's scouts whizzed by on his Haran speeder, blasting targets of opportunity with his Ripper pistol. It was organized Chaos, but there was little that could be done about that when you were fighting an enemy that just popped out of the shabla ground.

Ruus could make out the carnage being wrought ahead by the Bes'uliik. At least one of them was doing just fine. His momentary distraction was all one of the shabuire needed. They grabbed his rifle with a death grip, refusing to let go. Ruus could see he wasn't alone. 360 degree field of view showed him Nick Brellor being picked up by Tegan Farron, which meant that they weren't doing as well as he'd hoped. The fight was still tenuous as all haran. Ruus swung his head forward, bodysuit muscle fibers and augmented strength augmenting an already deadly stesr'gar helmet strike to the head. The abomination crumpled. Ruus used the momentary gap created to acquire a target for every single one of his nano missiles, and with a high pitched whine the missiles streaked out and struck their targets.

Taking a step back, he switched his plasma caster to wide spray mode and cut a swathe through the horde in front of him. Rotted flesh and bone melted like wax before the high temperature weapon. For a moment, his gauntlet shone like a beacon in the dark. "Mando'ad, commandos of the Confederacy. Today's a good day for these shabuire to stay dead," he spat, exhorting them to action. Using the slight gap in the onrushing horde to deploy, their R/IS-01 'Nuhaatyc' Reconnaissance/Infantry Support Droids deployed from their IFVs, adding their deadly firepower into the mix. The fwoosh-thump of rockets hitting their mark was the sign that the enemy hordes in their immediate proximity were dealt with, but they were closing in quick.

Darth Metus ' Bes'uliik's message prompted Ruus to have to think quick. If he'd cleared a way to the cavern, then they were going to have to move quick. That meant that they were going to have to split their forces. Against this horde, Ruus was not enthusiastic about having to do that, but he really didn't have much choice. "Mirta, take first, second and our recon platoon and go find the Knights Obsidian. I'll take third, fourth and our rammikade burc'ya and finish this." He glanced over at the Confederacy's elite commandos, and satisfied that they were still good to go, nodded to himself.

"Taking the fun job, eh alor? Do I get some of your cut?" joked Mirta. "You're buying this time, don't go and get yourself killed." With that, Mirta's first two platoons and the recon platoon's speeders veered off in the direction of the KO's last known position. Ruus waved on those left with him, and with a high pitched whine of their IFVs' engine and a rumble of tracks, they were on the move once more.

Ruus turned toward the Confederacy squad leader, "Someone's got to get this done. What do you say, you and your rammikade ready to push forward and finish this?"

 

[Nick Brellor]

TAG: Ruus Kote | Tegan Farron | Darth Metus | Vanya Aklin | Zaiya Valessa | Draconis Sederius Wolf | Cord Starfall | Aya Lin | A ARS VAMI | BX-4323

WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE​

"Well this is fun."

The sarcasm in Nick's voice was dripping out of the comms as he grabbed Tegan's hand and allowed her to help pull him to his feet. His eyes quickly scanned their surroundings.

It was bloody chaos.

Yet, the great war machine seemed to be doing better than the rest of them. "Bloody droids. What would we do without 'em?" he snickered, pulling his other pistol and sending a few HE rounds into a few straggling zombies.

It was lovely to see them explode.

Ruus Kote 's voice sounded over the comms. Clearly the Mando'ade were enjoying themselves.
"Aye. Let's send them back down below, shall we?" Nick chuckled, moving forward. He was slightly worried even as they were gaining ground to the cavern. The witches seemed somewhat worried at the whole thing. He wasn't a man for all kinds of joojoo, but he had learned to heed their words and warnings when they deigned to show themselves on the battlefield. He had a sinking feeling that he and his fellow commandos would need their joojoo before the end.

Why did it always have to be joojoo?

He had just changed his clip and scooped up his other pistol when the Basilisk's message came through. Kote's orders to his Mando'ade rang through the comms to split up the force. Nick figured the man was as iffy as he was to split up their numbers, but they had little time or choice in the matter. They had a job to do.
"Right, ladies, you heard our objective." he told his commandos. "Dinely, take Edwards, Holt, Vex and Fields and cover our behinds. Farron, you, Burrough, Wells and Arch are with me and the Mandos. Let's move." he sounded the order and moved forward without a second glance. If they hesitated, they'd be dead. Simple as that.

He fell into step beside Ruus as they all started to push forward with haste. The Mando'ade asked him if they were ready.
"Heck yeah. I love dancing, but I want to see this little tango come to an end soon now. Ammo's getting low." he said, checking his ammo belt. He only had 3 pistol magazines left and the rest belonged to the big Verpine sniper rifle on his back. This op wasn't exactly a "sit and sight through a scope" type op. But he'll probably use the shorter range setting on it sooner rather than later.

They entered the cavern along with the Basilisk. His HUD had to adjust to the change in lighting slightly. An odd torch here and there dotted the walls further into the grotto.
"Best look sharp, girls. Weapons ready." he said softly over the comms to his comrades.